Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is a drilling technique used to extract oil and natural gas from deep underground rock formations. The process involves injecting a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure to create fractures in the rock, allowing hydrocarbons to flow to the surface. Fracking has significantly boosted energy production in the U.S. and other countries, but it remains controversial due to environmental concerns, including groundwater contamination and seismic activity.